Convicted travel company fraudster David Oakley was finally behind bars today after four years on the run in Europe.

The 62-year-old conman was locked up eight months after being convicted of fraud and deception charges.

Oakley, formerly of Salters Lane, Shrewsbury, was flown back to the UK from France yesterday, accompanied by British police. He appeared before Judge Robin Onions at Shrewsbury Crown Court today.

He was told by the judge that he would serve three years and nine months in jail.

Mr Robert Edwards prosecuting said: “Oakley was convicted for his offences on September 23 last year in his absence and sentenced to 45 months in prison.”

The court heard that a warrant and a European arrest warrant were issued as a result and Oakley, who had fled to France from his bolt hole on the Spanish Costa Blanca, was arrested and finally brought back to court today.

Judge Onions ordered that Oakley start his sentence immediately.

He said that only one day that Oakley had served in custody would count towards his time in jail and added that he had “brought the matter on himself”.

The judge said that any application by the prosecution under the Proceeds of Crime Act was likely to be out of time as it was almost eight months since Oakley had been sentenced.

Oakley was arrested on April 3 with his wife Amanda.

They were traced to the small town of Melle, in the Poitou-Charentes region of France.

But Oakley’s extradition had been held up for health reasons and he was moved to a prison in Bordeaux where he was being held in the hospital wing.

Detective Constable Andy Denton, of West Mercia Police, said: “We went out and got him and we flew him back from Bordeaux yesterday.

“He was arrested on April 3 and there have been various court proceedings.”

Oakley, who has been on the run for four years, has previously claimed ill health had prevented him travelling back to the UK to face his trial.

He was held in the cells at Shrewsbury police station ahead of today’s hearing in court.

By Russell Roberts and Catherine Roche